Planning for a Tokarev purchase - is it easy to convert to 9mm?

[machinecraig]

I've had my C&R for a year or two - and am just now getting around to making my first purchase with it. :banghead: I'm looking at the Tokarev (TT33)... it looks like a fun little pistol.

I've read posts in the past about converting these from 7.62x25 to 9mm. If anyone can clear up a few questions I've got about that - it would be much appreciated!

1. Does anyone have a good source they'd recommend for 9mm tokarev barrels?

2. Can anyone tell me if the 7.62x25 Tokarev mags will work with 9mm? I've read posts both ways - some say they work, others say you need actual 9mm magazines to feed reliably.

3. Has anyone actually done this that can chime in on how it went? I don't want to take a functioning 7.62x25 Tok and turn it into an unreliable, malfunctioning 9mm Tok... But if the barrel can be easily swapped and it would let me shoot 9mm, I'd love to try it.

Any advice is welcome!

 

[redneckrepairs]

I have no idea on the ease of conversion , not being a toc owner , and the reliability i suspect would depend almost entirely on your skills as i doubt that it would work well as a drop in ( drop in never does , it always seems to require some fitting in the gun world lol ) . The other issue i see is the conversion would be the 9x18 which sits between the .380 ( 9x17 ) and the standard " 9mm" which is 9x19. In some areas of the country ( mine for instance ) finding such ammo " on the shelf " is a near impossibility . It does sound like a fun little project tho that most likely would not eat up too much time assuming the breach face, extractor , ect would mate up .

 

[cloudcroft]

machinecraig,

I guess you're considering this "conversion" because you don't know any NEW guns that might fit your goal?

I'm talking about the CURRENTLY-PRODUCED Zastava M88 -- also known as the EAA/Zastava M88 -- which is basically a cut-down Tokarev but in 9mm. Zastava (in Serbia) has been making Tokarevs for decades.

I have two Tokarevs myself and want to keep them just the way they are. Since I like the Tokarev design, however, but needed a 9mm for my Texas CHL class qualification (because the 30-cal. Tokarev is too "small" to use for CHL class qualification), I found a nice current production, no-frills, all-steel Tokarev clone in 9mm: The Zastava M88. Going for about $250, IMO they have an excellent cost-to-value ratio.

http://www.eaacorp.com/zastava-m88-description.html

http://averagejoeshandgunreviews.blogspot.com/2008/06/eaa-zastava-m88-9mm-pistol-european.html

So I advise you not to mess with the Tokarev...leave it as it is. Get some 7.62x25 Wolf HPs for it if you want, but I think getting a Zastava M88 the best choice, a Tokarev design but for 9mm instead...no jerry-rigging modifications. And who needs too much of an "excuse" to buy another gun? Heck, at under $300 each (and magazines under $20 each), I am getting a second one soon.

-- John D.

P.S. The M88's TRIGGER is heavy, not at all like the light excellent Tokarev trigger...but that's okay with me as I still think it's a good gun. Maybe later on, I can get it lightened up or, maybe a Tokarev trigger assembly will drop in and work (but haven't tried it yet)!

 

[wnycollector]

I switch back and forth all the time between 9mm and 7.62 with my Polish Wz48. I bought a norinco 9mm barrel w/ link/pin and 9mm bushing. I also picked up two 9mm type 54 norinco mags with internal spacer's. All the parts can be found at online auction sites (gb, gunsamerica or auctionarms). If not check marstar.ca

 

[planetmobius]

I also have a Polish toc and go back and forth between 7.62 and 9mm. Just bought a barrel, nothing else. No problems in feed or function.

 

[machinecraig]

Lots of good info here - thanks guys! Cloudcroft - thanks for the info on the Zastava, not exactly what I'm looking for - but I always like checking out a new gun. I can't believe there's a caliber requirement for your CHL qual exam! Here in VA we can satisfy the education requirement with an online exam.

wny and planet: thanks for posting regarding your experience! I'll check out the auction sites one I get the Tokarev ordered. Man - I'm stoked!

 

[Jim K]

The Germans converted thousands and thousands of them to 9mm. I have one and there is no difference except the caliber. Same recoil spring, same magazine, etc.

Jim

 

[Ron James]

I also have one and it requires nothing more than a barrel change.

 

[machinecraig]

Cool, thanks for confirmation Jim. I just placed my order with SOG earlier today... it took all my willpower not to buy two.

 

[makarovnik]

I converted my Polish TT33 to 9mm.

I ordered a barrel and link from e-gunparts.com for like $30 + shipping. It fit fine but it had a larger outside diameter than my 7.62 barrel so the barrel bushing would not fit onto the new barrel.

I got another bushing and ground the little ring out of the inside center and now it works fine. So now I have a 7.62 and a 9mm bushing.

Just use the original mags. The 9mm's flop around in there but feed fine.

Chinese 9mm Tokarevs have a different slide and a spacer in the mag or inside the mag well.